New WWE Chairwoman & Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon opened tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Boston with a special “thank you” for her father Vince McMahon.
As noted, Vince announced earlier in the evening that he was retiring from his duties as WWE Chairman & CEO. It was later reported that he was also done with all active duties, including creative. Stephanie was named the new WWE Chairwoman & Co-CEO, while Nick Khan was named the other Co-CEO. You can see Vince’s full statement, his internal letter to WWE employees and more below, along with backstage news from SmackDown.
In an update, tonight’s SmackDown from the TD Garden in Boston opened with Stephanie in the ring with a mic. She welcomed everyone and commented on her father’s retirement from the company he built into a global entertainment juggernaut.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! Earlier tonight my father, Vince McMahon, retired from WWE,” she said as fans booed Vince leaving. “This is the company that he created, that he founded, and he wanted to make sure in his retirement that he thanked all of you, he thanked the WWE Universe.”
Fans in the arena then began a “thank you Vince!” chant.
“You guys are jumping me,” Stephanie said, laughing. “I’m trying to get there, I’m trying to get there.”
Stephanie continued and went on about how they are eternally grateful for the WWE Universe.
“And that’s all of you out there, that’s everybody in the back, that’s all of our crew, that’s everyone who hangs the rigging, that’s everyone who designs the graphics, that’s even Pat McAfee, and I guess Michael Cole,” Stephanie joked. “This is the WWE Universe and we are eternally grateful for all of you, but since Vince had the opportunity to thank us, I think this is the moment we take to thank him. So, now we’re going to do it together, right?”
Stephanie then led a “thank you Vince!” chant.
“I love you, Dad,” an emotional Stephanie mouthed to the camera to end the segment.
You can see the full SmackDown opener below:
Stay tuned to WrestlingHeadlines.com for more. Below are links to our previous reports on Vince, today’s WWE corporate shake-up, the Board of Directors investigation into allegations of misconduct, and more.
FULL COVERAGE OF THE VINCE MCMAHON – JOHN LAURINAITIS ALLEGATIONS AND FALLOUT:
– Stephanie McMahon and WWE Fans Send “Thank You” Message to Vince McMahon
– Read Vince McMahon’s Full Retirement Letter Sent to WWE Employees
– Brock Lesnar Officially Pulled from WWE SmackDown
– WWE to Replace Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam?, More on Lesnar’s Reaction to Vince McMahon’s Retirement
– Backstage News on Vince McMahon’s Retirement, Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan’s New WWE Roles, More
– Brock Lesnar Reportedly Leaves SmackDown, Upset Over Vince McMahon’s WWE Retirement
– Vince McMahon Retires from WWE
– Triple H at WWE SmackDown, Backstage Talk on Triple H’s New Role, Bruce Prichard Update, More
– WWE Announces Triple H’s New Executive Role, Triple H Comments
– Netflix Reportedly Pulls Vince McMahon Project, Millions of Dollars Spent
– WWE Issues Internal Statement on Latest Vince McMahon Allegations
– Vince McMahon Reportedly Paid Millions of Dollars In “Hush Money” to Former Wrestler and Others
– News on Who Made the Decision to Name Stephanie McMahon as WWE’s Interim CEO & Chairwoman
– Stephanie McMahon Addresses Investigation Into Her Father During WWE HQ Meeting
– How Much Value WWE Has Lost Since Vince McMahon Scandal Broke, WWE Ratings Up Due to Buzz?
– WWE Now Facing Multiple Potential Class Action Lawsuits
– Vince McMahon Makes Surprise WWE RAW Appearance to Hype Big Return
– More Details On Vince McMahon’s Mood, Backstage Atmosphere At Friday’s WWE SmackDown
– Vince McMahon Opens Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, Video of the Segment
– Stephanie McMahon Sends Message to WWE Staff After Today’s Huge Announcement
– Vince McMahon Announced for WWE SmackDown
– Pat McAfee Reacts to Vince McMahon Allegations, Thinks We Will Never Get the Truth
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